AU2009206933A1

AU2009206933A1 - Emulsifiable Concentrate Composition

Info

Publication number: AU2009206933A1
Application number: AU2009206933A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yumiko Kozuki
Original assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-01-23
Filing date: 2009-01-21
Publication date: 2009-07-30
Also published as: US20110009271A1; KR20100114504A; CN101980596A; JP2009173568A; WO2009093744A1; ZA201005273B; BRPI0906441A2; EP2245930A1; JP5256749B2; EP2245930A4

Description

1 EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATE COMPOSITION Technical Field The present invention relates to an emulsifiable 5 concentrate composition containing a plurality of organic solvents. Background Art In an agrochemical formulation containing an 10 agrochemically active compound, an emulsifiable concentrate composition is an easy-to-use important formulation. The emulsifiable concentrate composition is usually a homogeneous composition comprising an agrochemically active compound, a surfactant and an organic solvent and is used 15 after diluting with a 10- to 5,000-fold amount of water. For the purpose of physical stabilization of an emulsifiable concentrate composition and a water-diluted liquid of the emulsifiable concentrate composition, an emulsifiable concentrate composition containing a plurality 20 of organic solvents has been studied (see, for example, JP 2004-523491 A and JP 2002-501087 A). Disclosure of the Invention However, it was difficult to obtain an emulsifiable 25 concentrate composition containing a plurality of organic 2 solvents which has improved low-temperature storage stability and has kept satisfactory emulsion stability after dilution. Under these circumstances, the present inventors have 5 intensively studied and found that an emulsifiable concentrate composition containing an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, y-butyrolactone and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone as organic solvents and content ratio of y-butyrolactone to 1,3-dimethyl-2-irmidazolidinone being in a specific ratio 10 has satisfactory low-temperature stability and also has satisfactory emulsion stability in the state of a water diluted liquid. Thus, the present invention has been completed. That is, the present invention includes the following 15 inventions. [Invention 1] An emulsifiable concentrate composition comprising: not less than 0.5% by weight but not more than 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 20 not less than 5% by weight but not more than 15% by weight of a surfactant, not less than 2% by weight but not more than 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, not less than 2% by weight but not more than 60% by 25 weight of y-butyrolactone, and 3 not less than 12% by weight but not more than 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone [DMI] to y-butyrolactone (i.e. DMI : y-butyrolactone, the 5 same shall apply hereinafter) is 1 : 0.03 to 1 : 2. [Invention 2] The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to Invention 1 which further comprises a formulation auxiliary in an amount of not more than 5% by weight based on the 10 total amount and consists essentially of the hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, the surfactant, the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, y-butyrolactone, 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and the formulation auxiliary. [Invention 3] 15 The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl 2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent (i.e. DMI : the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, the same shall apply hereinafter) is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 20 [Invention 4] The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 25 [Invention 5] 4 The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to any one of Inventions 1 to 4, wherein the surfactant is composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant. [Invention 6] 5 The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to Invention 5, wherein the anionic surfactant is an alkylarylsulfonic acid salt. [Invention 71 The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to 10 any one of Inventions 1 to 6, wherein the hydrophobic agrochemically active compound is an insecticidally active compound, a fungicidally active compound or a herbicidally active compound. [Invention 8] 15 The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to Invention 7, wherein the insecticidally active compound is a neonicotinoid insecticidally active compound. [Invention 9] The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to 20 Invention 7, wherein the herbicidally active compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sulfonyl urea herbicidally active compounds and dicarboxyimide herbicidally active compounds. (Invention 10] 25 A water-diluted liquid which is obtained by diluting 5 the emulsifiable concentrate composition according to any one of Inventions 1 to 9 with water 10 to 5,000 times. Effects of the Invention 5 The emulsifiable concentrate composition of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present emulsifiable concentrate composition) has satisfactory in low-temperature storage stability, and also has satisfactory emulsion stability in the state of a water 10 diluted liquid. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention In the present invention, usually, the hydrophobic agrochemically active compound means an agrochemically 15 active compound having a solubility in water at 25'C of less than 1,000 ppm. The hydrophobic agrochemically active compound would be in the form of either solid or liquid at 250C. Examples of the agrochemically active compound include 20 herbicidally active compounds, fungicidally active compounds, insecticidally (acaricidally) active compounds and plant growth control compounds, and specific examples thereof are as follows. Examples of the herbicidally active compound include: 25 dicarboxyimide herbicidally active compounds such as 6 flumiclorac-pentyl [herbicide compound 1], flumioxazin [herbicide compound 2] and cinidon-ethyl [herbicide compound 3]; pyridazinone herbicidally active compounds such as 5 flufenpyr-ethyl [herbicide compound 4] and brompyrazone [herbicide compound 51; uracil herbicidally active compounds such as butafenacil [herbicidal compound 6], bromacil [herbicide compound 7], flupropacil [herbicide compound 8] and benzfendizone 10 [herbicide compound 9]; triazolone herbicidally active compounds such as carfentrazone-ethyl [herbicide compound 10] and sulfentrazone [herbicide compound 11]; diphenylether herbicidally active compounds such as 15 lactofen [herbicide compound 12], bifenox [herbicide compound 13], chlornitrofen [herbicide compound 14] and chlormetoxinyl [herbicide compound 15]; sulfonylurea herbicidally active compounds such as sulfosulfuron [herbicide compound 16], imazosulfuron 20 [herbicide compound 17], nicosulfuron [herbicide compound 18], primisulfuron-methyl [herbicide compound 19], rimsulfuron [herbicide compound 20], halosulfuron-methyl [herbicide compound 21], prosulfuron [herbicide compound 22] and thifensulfuron-methyl [herbicide compound 23]; 25 phenoxypropionic acid herbicidally active compounds such as 7 chlorazifop [herbicide compound 24], diclofop [herbicide compound 25] and fluazifop [herbicide compound 26]; thiazolopyrimidine herbicidally active compounds such as diclosulam [herbicide compound 27], cloransulam [herbicide 5 compound 28), flumetsulam [herbicide compound 29], penoxsulam [herbicide compound 30], pyroxsulam [herbicide compound 31] and metosulam [herbicide compound 32]; anilide herbicidally active compounds such as picolinafen [herbicide compound 33], flufenacet [herbicide compound 34], 10 and mefenacet [herbicide compound 35]; triazine herbicidally active compounds such as atrazine [herbicide compound 36] and metribuzin [herbicide compound 37]; urea herbicidally active compounds such as fluometuron 15 [herbicide compound 38], isoproturon [herbicide compound 39] and dymron [herbicide compound 40]; imidazoline herbicidally active compounds such as imazapyr [herbicide compound 41], imazaquin [herbicide compound 42] and imazethapyr [herbicide compound 43]; 20 chloroacetamide herbicidally active compounds such as pretilachlor [herbicide compound 44] and butachlor [herbicide compound 45]; thiolcarbamate herbicidally active compounds such as benthiocarb [herbicide compound 46], esprocarb [herbicide 25 compound 47] and molinate [herbicide compound 48]; 8 amide herbicidally active compounds such as bromobutide [herbicide compound 49], propanil [herbicide compound 50] and cafenstrole [herbicide compound 51]; benzoylpyrazole herbicidally active compounds such as 5 pyrazoxyfen [herbicide compound 52] and benzofenap [herbicide compound 53]; methyl={2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-oxo 1H,3H-[1,3,4]thiadiazolo[3,4-a]pyridazin-1 ylideneamino]phenylthio}acetate [herbicide compound 54]; 10 N-benzyl-2-(a,a,c,4-tetrafluoro-m-tolyloxy)butylamide [herbicide compound 55]; and 2-(2,4-dichloro-5-prop-2-ynyloxyphenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3(2H)-one [herbicide compound 56]. 15 Examples of the fungicidally active compound include: azole fungicidally active compounds such as propiconazole [fungicide compound 1], triadimenol [fungicide compound 2], prochloraz [fungicide compound 3], penconazole [fungicide compound 4], tebuconazole [fungicide compound 5], 20 flusilazole [fungicide compound 6], diniconazole [fungicide compound 7], bromuconazole [fungicide compound 8], epoxiconazole [fungicide compound 9], difenoconazole [fungicide compound 10], cyproconazole [fungicide compound 11], metconazole [fungicide compound 12], triflumizole 25 [fungicide compound 13], tetraconazole [fungicide compound 9 14], myclobutanil [fungicide compound 15], fenbuconazole [fungicide compound 16], hexaconazole [fungicide compound 17], fluquinconazole [fungicide compound 18], triticonazole [fungicide compound 19], bitertanol [fungicide compound 20], 5 imazalil [fungicide compound 21] and flutriafol [fungicide compound 22]; morpholine fungicidally active compounds such as fenpropimorph [fungicide compound 23], tridemorph [fungicide compound 24], fenpropimorph [fungicide compound 10 25] and dimethomorph [fungicide compound 26]; benzimidazole fungicidally active compounds such as carbendazim [fungicide compound 27], benomyl [fungicide compound 28], thiabendazole [fungicide compound 29] and thiophanate-methyl [fungicide compound 30]; 15 strobilurin fungicidally active compounds such as azoxystrobin [fungicide compound 31], trifloxystrobin [fungicide compound 32], picoxystrobin [fungicide compound 33], pyraclostrobin [fungicide compound 341, dimoxystrobin [fungicide compound 35], fluoxastrobin (fungicide compound 20 36], metominostrobin [fungicide compound 37] and orysastrobin [fungicide compound 38]; dicarboxyimide fungicidally active compounds such as procymidone [fungicide compound 39], iprodione [fungicide compound 40] and vinclozolin [fungicide compound 41]; 25 carboxyamide fungicidally active compounds such as 10 furametpyr [fungicide compound 42], mepronil [fungicide compound 43], flutolanil [fungicide compound 44] and trifluzamide [fungicide compound 45]; anilinopyrimidine fungicidally active compounds such as 5 cyprodinil [fungicide compound 46], pyrimethanil [fungicide compound 47] and mepanipyrim [fungicide compound 48]; phenylpyrrole fungicidally active compounds such as fenpiclonil [fungicide compound 49] and fludioxonil [fungicide compound 50]; 10 carbamate fungicidally active compounds such as iprovalicarb [fungicide compound 51], benthiavalicarb [fungicide compound 52] and diethofencarb [fungicide compound 53]; pyridine fungicidally active compounds such as boscalid 15 [fungicide compound 54] and fluazinam [fungicide compound 55]; (Z)-2'-methylacetophenone=4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2 ylhydrazone, 1-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-4-(2,6 dichlorophenyl)-5-amino-1H-pyrazol-3-one [fungicide 20 compound 56]; 1-[(ethylthio)carbonyl]-2-(1-methylethyl)-4-(2,6 dichlorophenyl)-5-amino-1H-pyrazol-3-one [fungicide compound 57]; 1-[(2-propenylthio)carbonyl]-2-(1-methylethyl)-4-(2 25 methylphenyl)-5-amino-1H-pyrazol-3-one [fungicide compound 11 58]; 5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo-[3,4-b][1,3] benzothiazole [fungicide compound 59]; and 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-one, 3 5 allyloxy-1,2-benzothiazole=1,1-dioxide [fungicide compound 60]. Examples of the insecticidally (acaricidally) active compound include: organophosphorous insecticidally active compounds such as 10 fenitrothion [insecticide compound 1], diazinon [insecticide compound 2] and chlorpyrifos [insecticide compound 3]; carbamate insecticidally active compounds such as benfuracarb [insecticide compound 4], propoxur [insecticide 15 compound 5], carbosulfan [insecticide compound 6], carbaryl [insecticide compound 7], aldicarb [insecticide compound 8] and fenothiocarb [insecticide compound 9]; pyrethroid insecticidally active compounds such as ethofenprox [insecticide compound 10], fenvalerate 20 [insecticide compound 11], esfenvalerate [insecticide compound 12], fenpropathrin [insecticide compound 13], cypermethrin [insecticide compound 14], permethrin [insecticide compound 15], cyhalothrin [insecticide compound 16], deltamethrin [insecticide compound 17], 25 cycloprothrin [insecticide compound 18], fluvalinate 12 [insecticide compound 19), bifenthrin [insecticide compound 20], halfenprox [insecticide compound 21], tralomethrin [insecticide compound 22], silafluofen [insecticide compound 23], d-fenothrin [insecticide compound 24], 5 cyphenothrin [insecticide compound 25], d-resmethrin [insecticide compound 26], acrinathrin [insecticide compound 27], cyfluthrin [insecticide compound 28], tefluthrin [insecticide compound 29], transfluthrin [insecticide compound 30], tetramethrin [insecticide 10 compound 31], allethrin [insecticide compound 32], prallethrin [insecticide compound 33], empenthrin [insecticide compound 34], imiprothrin [insecticide compound 35] and d-furamethrin [insecticide compound 36]; neonicotinoid insecticidally active compounds such as 15 clothianidin [insecticide compound 37], imidacloprid [insecticide compound 38], thiamethoxam [insecticide compound 39] and thiacloprid [insecticide compound 40]; benzoylphenylurea insecticidally active compounds such as chlorfluazuron [insecticide compound 41], teflubenzuron 20 [insecticide compound 42], flufenoxuron [insecticide compound 43], bistrifluron [insecticide compound 44], buprofezin (insecticide compound 45] and triflumuron [insecticide compound 46]; pyrazole insecticidally active compounds such as acetoprole 25 [insecticide compound 47], ethiprole [insecticide compound 13 48], fipronil [insecticide compound 49] and pyrachlophos [insecticide compound 50]; juvenile hormone like insecticidally active compounds such as pyriproxyfen [insecticide compound 51] and fenoxycarb 5 [insecticide compound 521; (RS)-5-tert-butyl-2-[2-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro 1,3-oxazol-4-yl]phenetole [insecticide compound 53]; and 2,6-dichloro-4-(3,3-dichloroallyloxy)phenyl=3-[5 (trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyloxy]propyl=ether [insecticide 10 compound 54]. Examples of the plant growth control compound include: azole plant growth control compounds such as uniconazole P [plant growth control compound 1] and paclobutrazol [plant growth control compound 2]; and 15 (RS)-4'-chloro-2'-(a-hydroxybenzyl)isonicotineanilide [plant growth control compound 3]. The agrochemically active compounds described above are those described in known documents such as The Pesticide Manual, 13th Edition (published in 1987 by The 20 British Crop Protection Council). In the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the hydrophobic agrochemically active compound is preferably an insecticidally active compound, a fungicidally active compound or a herbicidally active 25 compound. The above herbicidally active compound is 14 preferably a sulfonyl urea herbicidally active compound, a dicarboxyimide herbicidally active compound, a triazolopyrimidine herbicidally active compound, an anilide herbicidally active compound, an amide herbicidally active 5 compound, or methyl={2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[5,6,7,8 tetrahydro-3-oxo-1H,3H-[1,3,4]thiadizolo[3,4-a]pyridazin-1 ylideneamino]phenylthiol acetate, and more preferably a sulfonyl urea herbicidally active compound or a dicarboxyimide herbicidally active compound. The above 10 insecticidally active compound is preferably a neonicotinoid insecticidally active compound or a juvenile hormone like insecticidally active compound, and more preferably a neonicotinoid insecticidally active compound. The hydrophobic agrochemically active compound 15 contained in the present emulsifiable concentrate composition is not limited to one compound. In the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the total amount of the hydrophobic agrochemically active compounds is not less than 0.5% by weight but not more than 25% by weight. 20 The present emulsifiable concentrate composition contains at least one surfactant. In the present invention, the surfactant can be any of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and cationic surfactants. Surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant 25 and a nonionic surfactant are preferred.

15 More preferably, for the surfactants in the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the weight ratio of an anionic surfactant to a nonionic surfactant satisfies anionic surfactant : nonionic surfactant = 1 : 0.1 to 1 5 10. Examples of the anionic surfactant include alkylarylsulfonic acid salts such as dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid salts; polyoxyethylene (poly)aryl aryl ether sulfuric acid esters such as polyoxyethylene distyryl phenyl ether 10 sulfuric acid; polyoxyethylene (poly)aryl aryl ether phosphoric acid esters such as polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl ether phosphoric acid; polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl phosphoric acid esters and polyoxyethylene alkyl phosphoric acid esters. The anionic surfactant is preferably an 15 alkylarylsulfonic acid salt, and particularly a dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid salt (sodium salt and calcium salt). In general, examples of the cation inthe sulfonic acid salt, sulfuric acid ester salt and phosphoric acid ester 20 salt include sodium, calcium and ammonium ions. As the dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid salt, for example, commercially available surfactants such as Rhodacal 70 T, Rhodacal 7 0 /CTM and Rhodacal 60/BE-CTM (each one is manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. 25 As the polyoxyethylene distyryl phenyl ether sulfuric 16 acid, for example, commercially available surfactants such as Soprophor DSS/7TM (manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. As the polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl ether 5 phosphoric acid, for example, commercially available surfactants such as Soprophor FLKTM (manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. As the polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl phosphoric acid ester, commercially available surfactants such as Rhodafac 10 PS/17TM (manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. As the polyoxyethylene alkyl phosphoric acid ester, commercially available surfactants such as Rhodafac MBTM (manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. 15 Examples of the nonionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymers, fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene polyaryl ethers, 20 polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyaryl ethers, polyoxyethylene vegetable oils such as polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated vegetable oils such as polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor 25 oil, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene vegetable oils such 17 as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl phosphate diester, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene tristyryl phenyl phosphate 5 diester, fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ethers and glycerin fatty acid esters, and preferably a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymers, fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymers, polyoxyethylene vegetable oils, polyoxyethylene 10 hydrogenated vegetable oils, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl phosphate diester and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene tristyryl phenyl phosphate diester, and more preferably a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymers and fatty acid esters of 15 polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymers. As the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, commercially available surfactants such as Teric PE 64TM (manufactured by Huntsman) can be used. As the polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether, 20 commercially available surfactants such as Antarox BO/ 32 7 M, 340 TM and Antarox BOTM series (each one is manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. As the polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether, commercially available surfactants such as Sorpol T/26 (manufactured 25 by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) can be used.

18 As the polyoxyethylene castor oil, commercially available surfactants such as Alkamuls OR/ 4 0TM and Alkamuls BRTM (each one is manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. 5 As the polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, commercially available surfactants such as HCO-20TM (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.) can be used. As the polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene castor oil, commercially available surfactants, for example, CR series 10 such as Antarox CR/255Tm and CR/405TM (each one is manufactured by Rhodia Nikka Co., Ltd.) can be used. As the polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, commercially available surfactants such as Newcol 150TM (manufactured by Nippon Nyukazai Co., Ltd.) can be used. 15 As the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, commercially available surfactants such as Newcol 1 1 0 0 Tm and Newcol 1 1 0 5 TM (each one is manufactured by Nippon Nyukazai Co., Ltd.) can be used. As the glycerin fatty acid ester, commercially 20 available surfactants such as Pionin D-9OOTM series (manufactured by Takemoto Oil & Fat Co., Ltd.) can be used. In the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the total amount of the surfactants is within a range from 4 to 15% by weight, and preferably from 5 to 15%. When the 25 above surfactant is composed of an anionic surfactant and a 19 nonionic surfactant, the amount of the anionic surfactant is from 2 to 12% by weight, and the amount of the nonionic surfactant is from 2 to 12% by weight. The present emulsifiable concentrate composition 5 contains at least one aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. In the present invention, examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent include alkylbenzenes (e.g. toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and tetramethylbenzene), alkylnaphthalenes (e.g. methylnaphthalene), diphenylethane, 10 dixylylethane, phenylxylylethane, and a mixture thereof. As the above aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, a commercially available solvent can be used. Examples of the commercially available solvent include Hisol SAS-296 (a mixture of 1-phenyl-l-xylylethane and 1 15 phenyl-1-ethylphenylethane, trade name of Nippon Oil Corporation), Cactus Solvent HP-MN (methylnaphthalene 80%, trade name of Japan Energy Corporation), Cactus Solvent HP DMN (dimethylnaphthalene 80%, trade name of Japan Energy Corporation), Cactus Solvent P-100 (alkylbenzene having 9 20 to 10 carbon atoms, trade name of Japan Energy Corporation), Cactus Solvent P-150 (alkylbenzene, trade name of Japan Energy Corporation), Cactus Solvent P-180 (a mixture of methylnaphthalene and dimethylnaphthalene, trade name of Japan Energy Corporation), Cactus Solvent P-200 (a mixture 25 of methylnaphthalene and dimethylnaphthalene, trade name of 20 Japan Energy Corporation), Cactus Solvent P-220 (a mixture of methylnaphthalene and dimethylnaphthalene, trade name of Japan Energy Corporation), Cactus Solvent PAD-1 (dimethyl monoisopropylnaphthalene, trade name of Japan Energy 5 Corporation), Solvesso 100 (mainly composed of, as aromatic hydrocarbons, C9-C10 dialkyl and trialkylbenzene, trade name of Exxon Mobil Corporation), Solvesso 150 (mainly composed of, as aromatic hydrocarbons, C10-Cl alkylbenzene, trade name of Exxon Mobil Corporation), Solvesso 150ND 10 (mainly composed of, as aromatic hydrocarbons, C10-Cl1 alkylbenzene, trade name of Exxon Mobil Chemical Company), Solvesso 200 (mainly composed of, as aromatic hydrocarbons, C10-C14 alkylnaphthalene, trade name of Exxon Mobil Corporation), Solvesso 200ND (mainly composed of, as 15 aromatic hydrocarbons, C10-C14 alkylnaphthalene, trade name of Exxon Mobil Chemical Company), Ultra Low Naphthalene Aromatic 150 (mainly composed of, as aromatic hydrocarbons, C10-Cl alkylbenzene, trade name of Exxon Mobil Chemical Company), Ultra Low Naphthalene Aromatic 200 (mainly 20 composed of, as aromatic hydrocarbons, C10-C14 alkylnaphthalene, trade name of Exxon Mobil Chemical Company), Swasol 100 (toluene, trade name of Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) and Swasol 200 (xylene, trade name of Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd.). 25 In the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, 21 the total amount of the aromatic hydrocarbon solvents is within a range of not less than 2% by weight but not more than 60% by weight. In the present invention, as y-butyrolactone and 1,3 5 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, commercially available products can be used. In the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the amount of y-butyrolactone is not less than 2% by weight but not more than 60% by weight, and preferably not less 10 than 5% by weight but not more than 50% by weight. The amount of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone is not less than 12% by weight but not more than 90% by weight, and preferably not less than 10% by weight but not more than 80% by weight. 15 In the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone (= 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone : y butyrolactone) satisfies 1 : 0.03 to 1 : 2, and preferably 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 20 Further, in the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent (= 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone : the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent) preferably satisfies 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and more 25 preferably satisfies 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.0.

22 The mixed solvent containing the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, y-butyrolactone and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, wherein the ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and y butyrolactone is within the above ratio, is useful as an 5 organic solvent for an emulsifiable concentrate composition, particularly for an agricultural formulation from the view point of excellent storage stability even at low temperature. The present emulsifiable concentrate composition can 10 contain a formulation auxiliary, if necessry. The present emulsifiable concentrate composition may consists essentially of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, a surfactant, an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, y butyrolactone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and the 15 formulation auxiliary. In the present invention, examples of the formulation auxiliary include antioxidants, coloring agents, fragment materials, enhancers and safeners. Examples of the antioxidants include 3-/2-t-butyl-4 20 hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene, and examples of the coloring agent include Rhodamine B, Yellow No. 4, Blue No. 1 and Red No. 2. In the present emulsifiable concentrate composition, the total amount of the formulation auxiliary is not more 25 than 5% by weight.

23 Embodiments of the present emulsifiable concentrate composition are as follows. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic 5 agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio 10 of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone (= 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone : y-butyrolactone, the same shall apply to the embodiments hereinafter) is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 15 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by 20 weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 0.05 to 1 : 1.0. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic 25 agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a 24 surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio 5 of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1:0.05 to 1:0.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 10 surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein a 15 weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 20 surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the 25 weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y- 25 butyrolactone is 1 0.05 to 1 : 1.0. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 5 surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the 10 weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 0.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 15 surfactants composed of an alkylarylsulfonic acid and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a 20 formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic 25 agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 26 surfactants composed of an alkylarylsulfonic acid and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3 5 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.0. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 10 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of surfactants composed of an alkylarylsulfonic acid and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by 15 weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 0.5. 20 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% 25 by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by 27 weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein tne weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone 5 is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon 10 solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight 15 ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.0. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a 20 surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic 25 hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight 28 ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 0.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic 5 agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 10 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 15 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic 20 hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and 25 the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y- 29 butyrolactone is from 1 : 0.05 to 1 1.0. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 5 surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the 10 weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 0.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 15 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by 20 weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 25 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 30 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% 5 by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.0, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone 10 is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a 15 nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the 20 aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic 25 agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 31 surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 5 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.0. 10 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of surfactants composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic 15 hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and 20 the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 0.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 25 surfactants composed of an alkylarylsulfonic acid and a 32 polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a 5 formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 10 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of surfactants composed of an alkylarylsulfonic acid and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, 2 to 60% by 15 weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon 20 solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 0.05 to 1 : 1.0. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of a hydrophobic 25 agrochemically active compound, 5 to 15% by weight of 33 surfactants composed of an alkylarylsulfonic acid and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3 5 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5, and the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 10 0.05 to 1 : 0.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of herbicide compound 1, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y 15 butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 20 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of herbicide compound 2, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation 25 auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2- 34 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of herbicide compound 17, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight 5 of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 10 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of herbicide compound 27, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 15 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of herbicide compound 20 33, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 25 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5.

35 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of herbicide compound 49, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of 5 y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 10 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of herbicide compound 55, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation 15 auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of fungicide compound 22, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight 20 of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 25 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 36 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of fungicide compound 26, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 5 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of fungicide compound 10 39, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 15 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of fungicide compound 56, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of 20 y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists 25 essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of fungicide compound 37 58, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation 5 auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of insecticide compound 37, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight 10 of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. 15 An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of insecticide compound 51, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 20 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of insecticide compound 25 53, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight 38 of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 5 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. An emulsifiable concentrate composition consists essentially of 0.5 to 25% by weight of insecticide compound 54, 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant, 2 to 60% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2 to 60% by weight of 10 y-butyrolactone, 12 to 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone and 0 to 5% by weight of a formulation auxiliary, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone is 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5. The present emulsifiable concentrate composition can 15 be produced, for example, by adding a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, a surfactant, and a formulation auxiliary which is an optionally added ingredient to a mixture of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, y-butyrolactone and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, if 20 necessary, under heating (about 800C or lower) conditions, stirring the mixture to form a homogeneous mixture, and then, if necessary, filtering the mixture. The present emulsifiable concentrate composition is a homogeneous liquid composed of a substantially single 25 continuous phase.

39 In general, the present emulsifiable concentrate composition is used after diluting with water. The present emulsifiable concentrate composition can be usually diluted with a 10- to 5,000-fold amount, and preferably a 20- to 5 2,500-fold amount of water. In general, the water to be used for dilution can be either hard water or soft water, further it may be water which is added an adjuvant such as a spreader. A water-diluted liquid prepared by diluting the present emulsifiable concentrate composition 10 to 10 5,000 times with water is also one of the present inventions. Examples Hereinafter, the present invention will be described 15 in more detail below by way of Preparation Examples and Test Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples. Ingredients used in Examples are as follows: Anionic surfactant A: calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 20 (Witconate P-1220EHM, manufactured by Akzo Nobel); Nonionic surfactant A: polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymer (Toximul 8320 TM, manufactured by Stepan Company); Aromatic hydrocarbon solvent A: Solvesso 200NDTM 25 (mainly C10-14 alkylnaphthalene, manufactured by Exxon 40 Mobil Chemical); BL: y-butyrolactone (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.); and DMI:1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (manufactured by 5 China CSIMC Pharmchem Factory). Preparation Example 1 In a 100 ml measuring flask, 5.0 g of herbicide compound 2, 3.0 g of anionic surfactant A, 3.0 g of 10 nonionic surfactant A, 35.0 g of DMI and 20.0 g of aromatic hydrocarbon solvent A were put at room temperature, and BL (about 34 g) was added to make the total volume to 100 ml. The mixture was stirred with warming (about 70*C or lower) to form a homogeneous mixture, thereby preparing 15 an emulsifiable concentrate composition of Example 1 (the present emulsifiable concentrate composition 1). Preparation Examples 2 to 14 According to the same procedure as that described in Preparation Example 1, emulsifiable concentrate 20 compositions of Examples 2 to 14 (the present emulsifiable concentrate compositions 2 to 14) were prepared at ratios of ingredients shown in Table 1 to Table 4. Table 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Herbicide compound 2 5.0 5.0 Fungicide compound 58 5.0 5.0 Anionic surfactant A 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 41 Nonionic surfactant A 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 BL ca 34(*) ca 19(*) ca 34(*) ca 19(*) DMI 35.0 50.0 35.0 50.0 Aromatic hydrocarbon 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 ,solvent A I I *: The ingredient was added in the amount shown in the table to make the total volume to 100 ml. Table 2 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Insecticide compound 37 5.0 5.0 Herbicide compound 17 5.0 5.0 Anionic surfactant A 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 Nonionic surfactant A 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 BL ca 34(*) ca 19(*) ca 34(*) ca 19(*) DMI 35.0 50.0 35.0 50.0 Aromatic hydrocarbon 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 solvent A *: The ingredient was added in the amount shown in the table to make the total volume to 100 ml. Table 3 Example 9 Example 10 Example 11 Example 12 Herbicide compound 2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Anionic surfactant A 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 Nonionic surfactant A 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 BL ca 38(*) ca 8(*) ca 23(*) ca 3(*) DMI 35.0 35.0 50.0 50.0 Aromatic hydrocarbon 10.0 40.0 10.0 30.0 solvent A *: The ingredient was added in the amount shown in the table to make the total volume to 100 ml. 5 Table 4 Example 13 Example 14 Herbicide compound 2 5.0 5.0 Anionic surfactant A 3.0 3.0 Nonionic surfactant A 3.0 3.0 BL ca 9(*) ca 4(*) DMI 75.0 75.0 Aromatic hydrocarbon 5.0 10.0 solvent A 42 *: The ingredient was added in the amount shown in the table to make the total volume to 100 ml. Hereinafter, Test Examples will be shown. In each test, the emulsified state was visually confirmed, while the sediment was visually confirmed as well as confirmed by measuring the volume. 5 Test Example 1 (Storage at low temperature) Ten ml of each of the present emulsifiable concentrate compositions 1 to 14 was sealed in a 20 ml ampoule tube. After storing at 00C for 1 week, changes in appearance were visually observed. The present emulsifiable concentrate 10 compositions were transparent and clear liquids even after storage, and no sediment was observed. Test Example 2 (Emulsion stability) One ml of each of the present emulsifiable concentrate compositions 1 to 14 was diluted 100 times with CIPAC 15 Standard Water A (total concentration of calcium and magnesium ions: 20 ppm) in a 100 ml measuring cylinder with stopper. After allowing to stand at 30*C for 0.5 hour, the state was visually observed. Each water-diluted liquid was kept in a stable emulsified state. 20 Test Example 3 (Emulsion stability) One ml of each of the present emulsifiable concentrate compositions 1 to 14 was diluted 100 times with CIPAC Standard Water D (total concentration of calcium and 43 magnesium ions: 342 ppm) in a 100 ml measuring cylinder with stopper. After allowing to stand at 300C for 0.5 hour, the state was visually observed. Each water-diluted liquid was kept in a stable emulsified state. 5 Industrial Applicability The present emulsifiable concentrate composition has satisfactory emulsion stability under low temperature conditions, and also has satisfactory emulsion stability in 10 the state of a water-diluted liquid, and is therefore useful as a formulation containing an agrochemically active compound.

Claims

1. An emulsifiable concentrate composition comprising: 5 not less than 0.5% by weight but not more than 25% by weight of a hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, not less than 5% by weight but not more than 15% by weight of a surfactant, not less than 2% by weight but not more than 60% by 10 weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, not less than 2% by weight but not more than 60% by weight of y-butyrolactone, and not less than 12% by weight but not more than 90% by weight of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, wherein 15 the weight ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone satisfies (1,3-dimethyl-2 imidazolidinone) : (y-butyrolactone) = 1 : 0.03 to 1 : 2.

2. The emulsifiable concentrate composition 20 according to claim 1 which further comprises a formulation auxiliary in an amount of not more than 5% by weight based on the total amount and consists essentially of the hydrophobic agrochemically active compound, the surfactant, the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, y-butyrolactone, 1,3 25 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and the formulation auxiliary. 45

3. The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight ratio of 1,3 dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to the aromatic hydrocarbon 5 solvent satisfies (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone) : (the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent) = 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5.

4. The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the weight 10 ratio of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone to y-butyrolactone satisfies (1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone) : (y butyrolactone) = 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 1.5.

5. The emulsifiable concentrate composition 15 according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surfactant is composed of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant.

6. The emulsifiable concentrate composition 20 according to claim 5, wherein the anionic surfactant is an alkylarylsulfonic acid salt.

7. The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the 25 hydrophobic agrochemically active compound is an insecticidally active compound, a fungicidally active 46 compound or a herbicidally active compound.

8. The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to claim 7, wherein the insecticidally active 5 compound is a neonicotinoid insecticidally active compound.

9. The emulsifiable concentrate composition according to claim 7, wherein the herbicidally active compound is at least one compound selected from the group 10 consisting of sulfonyl urea herbicidally active compounds and dicarboxyimide herbicidally active compounds.

10. A water-diluted liquid which is obtained by diluting the emulsifiable concentrate composition according 15 to any one of claims 1 to 9 with water 10 to 5,000 times.